22.10.2010, 13:03
I do air racing and basically in IL2 terms this is what the radiator does...
Open compared to closed can be up to around 70 kmh difference, this can be seen on the Mustang Mk III where you can get around 560 or so with it open and 630 or so with it closed. Depends on how you fly as well... but from my memory it's around those figures.
It doesn't matter how hot your engine gets, it's either normal or overheating. If it overheats over a set certain time then it will start loosing power etc... So if it's overheating don't bother opening the radiator slightly thinking you won't damage it as much by keeping it cool yet still overheating. So if you don't intend to cool it then keep it closed. MiG3U is around 45 seconds on overheat before it starts dying, hence cardboard engine saying. Most aircraft, such as P-51 is around 4 minutes 45 seconds, others on the other end of the scale is the p47 at around 6 minutes. Spitfire is like 9 minutes but it has auto rads.
So yes it affects you quite a bit also for climbing purposes you'd best keep it closed.
Open compared to closed can be up to around 70 kmh difference, this can be seen on the Mustang Mk III where you can get around 560 or so with it open and 630 or so with it closed. Depends on how you fly as well... but from my memory it's around those figures.
It doesn't matter how hot your engine gets, it's either normal or overheating. If it overheats over a set certain time then it will start loosing power etc... So if it's overheating don't bother opening the radiator slightly thinking you won't damage it as much by keeping it cool yet still overheating. So if you don't intend to cool it then keep it closed. MiG3U is around 45 seconds on overheat before it starts dying, hence cardboard engine saying. Most aircraft, such as P-51 is around 4 minutes 45 seconds, others on the other end of the scale is the p47 at around 6 minutes. Spitfire is like 9 minutes but it has auto rads.
So yes it affects you quite a bit also for climbing purposes you'd best keep it closed.